Water-plantain - Alisma plantago-aquatica

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Water-plantain - Alisma plantago-aquatica
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

Water-plantain is a bold, aquatic plant with deciduous oval, greyish green leaves and loose pyramidal sprays of pinkish-white flowers which are borne on long stalks above the surface of the water. John Ruskin saw 'divine proportion' - a shape in which 'God has stamped those characters of beauty which He has made it in man's nature to love' - in its curved leaf-ribs. The stalks become hard and woody after flowering. This plant prefers nutrient-rich water and will self-seed freely. It is a good plant for the muddy margins of a medium to large pond.

Like other wetland plants, water-plantain offers resting places for aquatic winged insects such as caddis flies and alder flies. It has its own specific weevil Hydronomus alismatis and small flies are attracted to its nectar. The name Alisma is believed to have its origins in the Celtic word alis, meaning water.

Animals

Dragonflies and damselflies, Flies, Weevils

Foliage	Green
Flower	Pink, June to September
Moisture	(Wet)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native